tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56924032011-04-21T10:40:37.525-07:00<p> This is a journal of my progress toward my goal of flying a model airplane from Hawaii to California. The inspiration for this project originally came from the <a href="http://www.aerosonde.com/">Aerosonde</a>, which is not technically a model airplane, but my desire to do this was really driven by the <a href="http://tam.plannet21.com">STAR</a> team. They succeeded at flying a model airplane across the Atlantic! It was merely proof that it can be done.Billnoreply@blogger.comBlogger111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1124852761575444412005-08-23T19:58:00.000-07:002005-08-23T20:06:01.576-07:00

With all the ruckus about RoboMagellan competitions, and the increased availability of ever smaller and lighter - and improved - navigation components, I find it hard to resist the challenge of making this autonomous aircraft happen once and for all.It is churning in the back of my mind again.I have added a few resources to my list on the left, just to make sure I don't lose them. I have made

Billnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1084579831139739822004-05-14T17:05:00.000-07:002004-05-14T17:10:31.140-07:00

After reviewing the AMA rules earlier in the year, I discovered they added a clause saying that no model airplane may be equipped with a system to allow for autonomous flight. I'll refrain from pointing out how ridiculous that restriction is, but it doesn't mean I can't do it. I just means AMA insurance won't cover me if I do. It also means I can't break any existing autonomous flight records

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1070426932369559852003-12-02T20:48:00.000-08:002003-12-02T20:49:30.030-08:00

It has been a while since I made an entry to my blog. I have decided I have had enough of technology. I am pursuing other interests. The Ohohia project will likely never happen. Turn the page.

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1064001091757307842003-09-19T12:51:00.000-07:002003-09-19T12:51:31.140-07:00

I have returned to my current home in Northern California - a place I would like to leave someday for good. I flew my Eagle II while in Bakersfield and once again there were problems. This airplane has had problems from day 1. If I could find my flight log, I would list some of the problems discovered on its maiden flight (which, by the way, took place at night!). This time, the generator

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1062042790173551772003-08-27T20:53:00.000-07:002003-08-27T20:54:58.040-07:00

I arrived in Tucson last night after a long drive from California. I just missed a big storm, apparently - lots of downed power lines, flooding, etc. I was so looking forward to a good thunderstorm, and I missed it! Oh, well, there will be others. I just got back from visiting the Aerial Robotics Club at the University of Arizona, where I checked out what they were doing. They have an

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1061482640197136382003-08-21T09:17:00.000-07:002003-08-21T10:10:07.636-07:00

I've been thinking a bit about what I need on this project, and would like to assemble a team, since I need help with some of it. Here are the areas of knowledge that will be needed for this project: Meteorology (esp. regarding the Pacific Ocean wind currents) Telemetry systems Embedded systems design/integration Internal combustion engine technology (that would be Dave) Electronic circuits &

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1061448557318026272003-08-20T23:49:00.000-07:002003-08-20T23:49:17.240-07:00

I went to a party tonight and met some nice people - a number of whom expressed interest in seeing my airplane succeed. Time will tell. At least nobody flat out said, "you're crazy!" Then again, perhaps that goes without saying.

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1061269146978178322003-08-18T21:59:00.000-07:002003-08-19T22:53:32.810-07:00

Here are a few of articles about the success of the TAM5 model aircraft across the Atlantic: From the B.B.C. From the AMA - this story may roll off the page in time. AZCentral.com globeandmail.com Sun-Sentinel.com I was thinking about Ohohia today and realized there is a considerable degree of probability that the plane will wind up in the Pacific Ocean. In the event this were to occur, it

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1061241947394508632003-08-18T14:25:00.000-07:002003-08-18T14:25:47.376-07:00

I picked up a free 14" monitor today to stick in the corner to use with my laptop that has no screen. This will be my embedded development station for the flight system. The monitor is crap, but it will suffice for a while. Although, I saw a nice 15" DigiView monitor (5 of them, actually) for $5 apiece at a thrift store in Burlingame. If this one drives me nuts too much, I'll pick up one of

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1061183107261071502003-08-17T22:05:00.000-07:002003-08-17T22:05:07.233-07:00

I have obtained a couple of '386 computers with a PC/104 platform that I will be using for initial testing and development of the flight system. Hopefully, I can find something smaller & lighter when the time comes to put a system together for the actual aircraft. I will be performing initial tests of RC4 hopefully at the end of this month if I can find and fix this bug I am having with the

Billnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692403.post-1061151626590742922003-08-17T13:20:00.000-07:002003-08-17T21:02:25.436-07:00

Welcome. This begins the journaling process for project Ohohia. Ohohia is a Hawaiian word that loosely translates to "flying spirit". It is what I am going to name the model aircraft that I am developing that will fly (all by itself) from Hawaii to California - almost 2300 miles. This is no small feat for an airplane that will weigh 11 lbs or less. TAM5 of the STAR team completed an 1888-

Billnoreply@blogger.com0